Lubricated rope



March 20, 194 50 R F, A REN; R 2,372,142

LUBHICATED ROPE Original Filed June 19, 1940 INVENITOR Richard I. Warr'en, Jr:

' Patented Me. 20, 194s 4 UNITED STATES PATENT orrlcs 2,912,142 I menus rxfififfizs, Conn.

Original application June 19, 1940, Serial a...

341,352. Divided and this application Septemher 3, 1 942, Serial No. 457,198

Claims. (Cl. 57-1) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in ropes and has particular relation to the lubrication of ropes.

The objects and advantages of the invention will become apparentv from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connec-- tion withthe accompanying drawing wherein satisfactory embodiments oi'the invention are disclosed. However, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the details disclosed but includes all such variations and modiiications as fall within the spirit or the invention and the scope of the appended claims. I

In the drawing: F18. 1 is a side elevational view of a short sectlon of a four strand rope having a core;

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view taken as along the line 2-10! Fig. 1;

Fig. 3- is a side elevatlonal view with part in section showing a modification;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged transverse sectional view asalong the line 4-4 of the rope of Fig. 3;

Fig.- 5 is a perspective view showing a modified eonstruction'of rope core; and

Fl g. 6. is a similar view showing another modification.

The present application is a division of my application Serial No. $1,352, filed June 19, 1940.

Referring in detail to the drawing and at first more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, the rope there shown comprises a core about which are laid four strands 2i, :2, 23 and 24. Core 25 and each oi the mentioned strands are each made up I23 over which are laid strands I each comprising a core i3i and a series of wires I32 twisted about such core "I. The main core I23 is a large diameter filament or bar-like element of vinylidene chloride and prior to incorporation in the rope is round or circular in transverse section. This core is extruded. Cores i3l also are of vinylidene chloride or other plastic material as will later fully appean;

The-strands II! are laid about the main core I23 under tension whereby portions of the wires I32 coming into contact with the core deform the latter providing grooves I33 therein as shown in Fig. 3. The core I23 is resilient whereby as the strands tension on the rope being under load the strands may press further into the core but as the load is eased the core tends to return to its original shape. WhenQthe core is perfectly roundv in transversesection it is engaged the same on all its sides by the wires of-the strands of filaments and the core is shown as comprising a single bundle of filaments while each of said strands comprises three bundles or yarns 23 although this number may be varied as desired.

The filaments are individually identified as 21 and it will be understood that the required number of filaments are twisted together to form the sired number of filaments.

Bone 33 is made up of vinylidene chloride al though as will later appear other plastics may the used and'itwill ;be understood that the core 33- may be of metal if a stiii'er or stronger rope is core 25 and that each yarn 23 includes the dewhereby such strands are evenly supported throughout the length of the rope.

Fig. 5 shows a core separate from other rope structure. This core, generally designated I31, comprises a plurality of small diameter vinylidene chloride filaments I33 twisted together. The core'thus formed may be used inthe rope 20 or the-rope I21 and the cores 33. I33 and i3i may be or the structure oi core I31. Core I3] is quite flexible and provides considerable surface area for the application of lubricant.

Core I31 has many desirable characteristics and particularly where it is made of a large number of relatively small diameter filaments it is substantially circular in transverse section and provides a uniform support for strands laid about it. However the core is but loosely twisted and care should be taken in unreeling it so that it does not untwist whereby it may be kept with the foreheart originally laid into it.

Fig. 6 shows a core construction wherein the vinylidene chloride, of which the core generalLv designated I is formed, has first been cut or required. when the rope in is entirely of plastic material its stillness may be controlled by predetermining the diameters of the filaments used inmaking the rope. Further the stiffness of the rope may be predetermined by the amount of orientation which has been aiiected in the filemeats.

Referring now to Figs. 3 and 4 the rope there generally designated I21 includes a main core? formed into strips. Thereafter the strips are twisted to provide filaments" it! and any desired number of these are twisted together to provide the core. A core made by twisting up of a single strip may be used. However, for larger or main cores (as the core I33 as distinguished from cores i3i a plurality of the strips are twisted together plastic filaments used in my rope the same may be of other plastics. Other plastics which may be employed in the making of the filaments comprising the non-metallic strands and cores are certain inorganic natural plastic materials as glass fibres, quartz fibres, or bentonite (in the form known as Alsifilm) although asbestos has been found useful. I also employ organic plastic-materials including synthetic resins, natural and synthetic lastics, cellulose (as ethyl cellulose) and its derivatives, protein plastic substances (as nylon), and petroleum plastic derivatives. Generally polymerization resins and particularly those of the vinyl group (which includes vinylidene chloride) are preferred'for my purpose.

In fact some of the organic plastics may be used with clay or other cheap fillers as well as I with fillers of cotton, silk, wool, waste ends from rope making, or other fibrous materials both natural and synthetic. Thus cotton, silk, wool, rayon and other regenerated celluloses, or other fibrous material may be used in the form of flock,

stable fibres, threads, swatches of woven fabrics or impregnated sheets cut to strips for twisting into elements or strands. In addition cellulose derivatives while in alpha and beta stage may be growth and so is not likely to decay through 1010- chemical attack. The vinylidene chloride (sold commercially as Venalloy) is in most respects mentioned herein similar to another vinyl compound sold commercially as Vlnyon. However the latter is not as desirable due to the necessary use of plasticizers which dissipate in time making the material very brittle.

Vinylidene chloride has a critical point of set in that such material when stretched to the point of most yield has a return of about 10 percent The stretching must be accomplished within a short time following extrusion as otherwise the material must be soaked in heat to cause it to return to random orientation to prevent the formation of cracks in its surface. Plastic filaments having a fixed amount of stretch and return pro-- vide a rope which gradually takes up its load. Where such filaments are used in a rope also having metal elements the feature of. stretch is present since the metal elements may straighten and squeeze into the plastic filaments providing for elognation of the rope. The parts will return to normal on being relieved of the load. The initial portion of the stretch is most easily obtained and as the rope elongates each succeeding degree of elongation requires a greater or increased load so that the load in any given instance is gradually taken up.

There are several chemical types of synthetic resins such as (1) phenol-aldehydic resins. (2)

particularly the vinyl resins are preferred for my purpose.

Under the type '(1) may be included resins such as phenol formaldehyde, cresol and cresylic acid, other tar acids and formaldehydes, phenol furfuraldehyde or other tar acids and other aldehydes. Under type (2)v is included urea and formaldehyde resins, and aniline resins obtained by condensing aniline and formaldehyde and other anilines or amines and other aldehydes.

Under type (3) I include materials produced by the esterification of polybasic acids with polyhydric alcohols. called alkyd resins, this title including adipic acid resins obtained by the condensation of adipic acid and glycerin or by the condensation of glycerin with phthalic anhydride. Type (4) includes the sulphonamide resins developed from para toluensulphonamide. The resins from sugar, type (5) above, are obtained by condensing saccharide with aldehydes and urea.

Vinylidene chloride (sold commercially as Venalloy) is included in the group of vinyl resins (type 6) including resins from vinyl derivatives and such group also comprehends vinyl ester, vinyl butyrate, vinyl chloride, acrylic resins from vinylcarbonic acid ester, vinyl carbonic acid, vinyl benzole or polystyrol, divinyl or butadiene, vinyl ester or vinyl chloride, copolymerized polyvinyl chloride and polyvinyl acetate (known commercially as Vinylite) vinyl acetate, polymers of vinyl halides combined with different percentages of plasticizers (known commercially as Koroseal) the commercial article known as Vistanex and comprising polyiso butylene polymerized with boron trifiuoride and also comprising polyiso butadiene having a tacky to rubber-like structure,

' the commercial products known asVinyon (a ooamino-aldehydic resins,- (3) hydroxy-carboxylic resins, (4) sulphonamide resins, (5) resins from sugar, (6) vinyl'resins including resins from vinyl derivatives, (7) indene resins and (8) lignin plastic substances. The polymerization resins and polymer of polyvlnyl chloride and polyvinyl acetate), Butacite (a reaction product of vinyl acetate resin with butyraldehyde) and Rezel (resulting from the fact that the introduction of an, un-

saturated resinous ester of the maleate polyester type into. a compound of the type (R -CH=CH-z) has the property of curing the latter), the polymer of ester of acrylic 'acid'known commercially as Plexigum, polymers of the esters of methacrylic acids such as the polymethacrylic resin sold as Lucite and Plexiglas.-Isobuty1 methacrylic resins, certain plastic obtained by mixing the monomer of styrenewith vinylidene chloride and with ethylene glycol and maleic acid and copolymerizing the mixture, styrene and in additionthereto the resin known as-polystyrene.

Resins of the indene group (type 7) include polyindene and poly-cumaron. Under type (8) I includelignin and its derivatives extracted from paper mill waste waters and other sources. lignin may be separated into various chemical components of'no value to me here but also into colored gums and by various. treatments into clear transparent resins useful for my present purpose. Lignin is hydrogenated with Raney nickel catalyst, in aqueous solution yielding methanol, p'ropylcyclohexane, hydroxy propylcyclohexanes, and a. colorless resin which may again be separated into an alkali soluble in an alkali insoluble component. I use either of these components in the production of resins to be ,used in the making of ropes. 1

Under the heading of natural and synthetic lastics, I include as natural lastics-balata, rubber, gutta percha and latex to be used'alone or' as a coating or processed or compounded with other materials. As the synthetic lastics I me'n- Such materials are frequently Thetion polymerized chloroprene (of the type now sold as Neoprene) polymerized butadiene (of the type sold as Buna or Perbunan); polymethylene polysulphlde (of the type sold as Thiokol); chlorinated rubber (of the type sold as Tomesit) rubber hydrochloride (of the type sold as Pliofilm); and isomerized rubber (of the type sold as Pliform) and any latex of these. Also sulphonated rubber or synthetic sulphonates to promotewire adhesion.

' .Certain materials sometimes called synthetic lastics I prefer to include under the heading of vinyl derivatives. For example, it appears that the polymerized vinyl derivative known commercially as. Vistanex (polyiso butylene and polyiso butadiene) might be included under either group. Such material is used in the present instance when mixed with other materials andhas certain lubricating properties of ,value in the making of ropes.

Under the heading, of cellulose and its deriva- I tives I include. cellulose acetate; regenerated cellulose; cellulose xanthate; benzylcellulose:

ethylcellulose; cellulose hydrate; cellulose triacetate; cellulose acetobutyrate: cellulose acetopropionate; hydrolysed cellulose acetate and others of the cellulose esters and ethers. Railan a rayon thread made from cellulose extracted from sugar cane may also be used. Most of these materials can be used alone for my purpose in the making of ropes and can be used in the form of filaments or may be cut to strips from sheets and then the strips twisted into filaments, such as those shown at I45 of Fig. 6. Also certain of these materials may be used with other materials herein mentioned for the purpose of toughening the latter.

Nitrocellulose compounded with other materials of a lessfiammable nature or of a nature to prevent flammability, may be used. Halowax or the like may be used for compounding with nitrocellulose and it is noted that the latter is so far as cost, strength and the like are concerned, a desirable material for my purpose. Other non-inflammable plasticizers which may be compounded with nitrocellulose for my purpose are monophenyl phosphate and di (paratertiary butyl" phenyl) mono 15 tertiary butyl 2 xenyl phosphate. The flammable nature of nitrocellulose may be weakened or lessened by mixing with Under varying proportions of cellulose acetate. this class may also be included Gel Cellulose which may be used for my purpose. This material may be used as a filler with other materials herein mentioned.

Under the heading of protein plastic substances,

' I include casein preferably in the fibrous form sold as Lactofil and Lanital made by either the wet or dry process. The material sold as Zein.

and which comprises a raw material in the form.

of a powder. may by extrusion or the like be converted into fibres for use here. Polypentamethylene sebacamide sold vas nylon may also be used. waste silk and waste cocoons containing silk and I Regenerated silk made by reducing then forming it into threads or sheets to be cu. to strips. is also believed to fall under the present heading.

That group of compounds orwhich at least one is obtained by condensation polymerization from a diamine, and a dibasic carboxylic acid and of which 'one is now sold under the trade-mark Exton is very useful for my present purpose.

Another protein plastic which may be used is obtained by extracting the protein from the refsuitable for my purpose.

use remaining after the oil has been extracted from soy beans, oiticica nuts and other protein bearing substances. The extracted protein is properly reacted to form plastic substances. Here it is noted that oiticica oil may be used'as a plasticizer with styrene to make the latter more suitable for my purpose.

Collagen plastics are another protein substance Such plastics are fibrous. The collagen may be recovered from the waste' from tanneries or otherwise. Various resins from cofiee may also be used.

The petroleumplastic derivatives include those gums or resins obtained by .the oxidation or controlled polymerization of certain distillat'es or petroleum cracking. Thus I may use the commercially known Santoresins produced by this method as well as "Petropol which is a softer type of the same material. These materials are, when used for my purpose, to be mixed with other materials listed above whereby the resultant mass may be shaped by extruding or the like content and condensing them with formaldehyde or other aldehydes forms resins useful for my purpose. Simi arly, I may use heavier petroleum products cracked and then condensed with formaldehyde or other aldehydes, hydrogenated or chlorinated either at elevated temperatures or by the addition of metallic halides. .For use as rope cores comprising large diameter bars and the like, the materials are advantageous. The natural inorganic materials above mentioned may be used in the place of the organic plastics in certain instances. The glass or the quartz must be made plastic by heat and then it is spun or extruded in fibres and the latter are brought toget er to form strands or cores as the case may be Plastics comprising nitrogenous condensation products are also suitable for use in the making of various rope elements of the invention. One such plastic is now on the market under the name Nulamine.

Preferably when glass, fused quartz or other materials which may be made into fibres of great tensile strength are used as a material in the making of ropes, it is incorporated intocoated with a plastic so. that the fibres are mainained from contact with one another. -The fibres may be oriented in thefilaments, strands or cores by repeated reductions as through dies or bv stretching of the plastic material after in corporation oi the fibres therein. The presence of these oriented fibres very greatly increases the tensile strength of +he filaments or cores and thus of the ropes into which they may be incorporated. Bentonite, in especially pure form may be coherent film. The bentonite may be extruded in the form of filaments or after being formed into sheets may be cut into strips and the latter twisted into filaments, such filaments to be used as above in the formation of strands or cores.

v while the material is in a ductile condition. The

Stretching of these gels produces orientation desirable for strength. v

Under the general heading. of asbestos, I include the fibrous varieties of the mineral amphibole, the fibrous forms of pyroxene, the mineral crocidolite of the amphibole group and also chrysotile. The principal varieties of asbestos are anthopyllite, amphibole and serpentine.

Asbestos floats of any variety may be used as fillers while the longer fibres may be made into filaments for strands or cores.

Various combinations of the material disclosed may be used for the purpose of regulating resiliency, stiffness, abrasion resistance, bacteria growth, fungus growth, water-proofness, controlling the melting or softening point, control of strength factors, as elasticity, tensile and shear strength. aiding in lubrication and the like. Many of the materials disclosed herein and which are chemically incompatible with one another are mechanically miscible to form a homogeneous mass adapaed to be fabricated into filaments or bars, sheets and strips to be made into ropes, or cores meeting any of 'the above requirements as to combinations of physical and chemical characteristics. Thus materials which may not be used alone for my purposes by reason of being too brittle and the like may be mixed with other materials and in that way utilized for the characteristics they may impart.

Formaldehyde and.urea resins as well as any chlorinated material (certain synthetic lastics),

and the like have germicidal properties and when used with other materials included herein will serve to prevent or arrest bacteria growth and thus decomposition of the filaments or cores due to the action of bacteria or fungus. Whether the action of said materials merely arrests bacteria growthor completely eliminates bacteria will depend on thematerials and the quantities used in the mixtures.

The various filaments (whether bundles of fine filaments or single bar-like elements of considerable diameter are employed) are oriented.

Where preformed structures are employed it is preferred that the molecules of the filaments be oriented in a direction parallel to the axial centers of the filaments. That is, the molecules are oriented in a direction parallel to the center of a helical-line (the longitudinal center line of the filaments) rather than the parallel relation to a straight line. This is accomplished by stretching the material through a helical die. Thus in my .preformed strands or filaments I avoid obstinate internal stresses which cause a wildness of fibre. The Strands, cores or ropes made of the filaments oriented as described will have increased tensile strength and extra resistance to twisting and bending, and will lay in a rope without opposing stresses tending to open the rope.

In orienting the filaments (whether thread-like or bar-like) they'are reduced to the desired diameters by repeated small reductions obtained by drawing through successively smaller dies or by repeated stretching. Such reductions take place preforming and orienting operations may be simultaneously accomplished.

In making the filaments of twisted strips M5 rather than by extrusion the sheets from which the strips are to be taken are reduced to the desired thickness by repeated small reductions rather than by a single large reduction. These reductions take place while the material is heated or wetted (depending on the material being used) The finished sheets are cut to strips and the lat- 1tick! twisted into filaments for use in cores or the Preferably the strips are cut from the sheet in such manner as to have the direction of the length of the flow of the material of the sheet represent the longitudinal axis of the strips. Thereafter as the strips are twisted they are heated or wetted (depending on the material concerned) and are stretched whereby to further orient the molecules to have the latter orientedin the direction of the length of the twisted strip and on a bias with respect to that which was the longitudinal axis of the strip prior to the twisting thereof.

The disclosed plastic cores and strands particularly lend themselves to the proper lubrication of the rope. ments of the cores and'strands (whether threadlike or bar-like) as they are extruded and while they are still hot, are run through a bath of lubricant, as colloidal graphite, mica, colloidal aluminum, or other. colloid (finely divided talc may be used) and some of the lubricating material adheres to the extruded filaments. In fact, the surfaces of the filaments are at such time soft in the same and remains there when the filaments cool and harden. Of course additional amounts of the lubricant adhere to the outer surfaces of the filaments.

Rather than follow the above process, if so desired, the lubricant may be applied to the extruded elements only just prior to their incorporation in a rope. That is, the filaments having been allowed to cool and having, for example, been stored, they are heated in their surface portions to soften such portions and are then passed through the bath of lubricant for'the purpose specified.

The above described processes for applyin lubricant to extruded core or strand filaments is also applicable when the cores or strands are fabricated from strips I45 cut from sheets. Such sheets while hot are passed through a bath of the lubricant to have the latter adhere thereto. After the sheets have set with the lubricant in and on them they are out into strips and the latter are twisted into filaments I" for use in the fabrication of cores and strands I as in Fig. 6.

Filaments treated as described when fabricated into a rope will serve over a longer period to supply lubricant to such rope. The working of the filaments against one another and metal elements of the rope. working against the treatedplastic filaments (Figs. 3 and 4) has some tendency to work the excess lubricant into said non-metallic yielded up from the plastic filaments and be used over a long period of time.

The third method of applying or incorporating the lubricant, particularly in synthetic plastics.

According. to the invention the fllais to mix the lubricant with the plastic material to form a homogeneous mass. The mass is then extruded into filaments of thread-like or bar-like structure or it may be formed into sheets to be cut into strips. In this method it is preferred that the lubricant include the material sold commercially under the name Vistanex and comprising a polymerized vinyl derivative, namely, polyiso butylene and polyiso butadiene. Such material has lubricating properties but, in addition thereto has lastic characteristics.

This third method is also applicable when the plastic involved is glass or quartz or the like hav.

ing a high melting point. However, it is preferred where the plastic has a high melting point, to dissolve the Vistanex together with graphite or -talc or mica or molybdenite in a suitable solvent cleaner to handle and remains cleaner whentendencytc adhere and so is particularly useful on the metal filaments or rope elements and may also be used as a lubricant for natural fibres. The Vistanex or some other cold flow material is also suitable for the lubrication of other plastics since it will gradually feed to the surfaces of the non-metallic elements as needed and will not completely run oil or be squeezed off when such elements are under pressure or strain.

Whenthe lubricant is not applied to the core or cores and strands or elements as above described, it'may be applied only to the surface of such elements and this process may best be applied when such elements comprise twisted strips of the plastic. In this connection it is noted that a large amount of surface area is available, particularly in the cores I31 and i of Figs. 5 and 6 to receive the lubricant. s

The wire elements (Figs. 3 and 4) have lubricant applied directly'to them and as they work against the plastic strands and cores such metallic strands will be continuously lubricated by the squeezing out of the lubricant from the non- -metallic strands or elements. At first there will a be a tendency to work excess lubricant into the plastic elements of the rope and thereafter the lubricant will be available as needed. Each of'the above described processe of Inbricating the rope will serve also to deluster the plastic filaments whereby they are more easily handled during the fabrication of rope cores or strands. materials herein named are glossy or glazed and render the elements dimcultto handle in mul-- tiple for. the twisting or other fabrication of them into'ropes or strands or cores.

To provide for non-glossy surfaces whereby the filaments of plastics will frictionally engage one another and therefore may be better held for twisting or laying. titanium dioxide may be added to the mass prior to the extruding, drawing or rolling process whereby to deluster the resulting filaments. This matter of delustering the filaments does not apply when the strands or'cores are in the form of single bar-like elements since in such instances there is no problem of holding a multiple of the filaments and twisting them about one another. I

The vinylidene chloride, and to some extent the other vinyl compounds mentioned above, is to a However the surfaces of some of the.

large extent self lubricating. Thus with this particular material while lubricant may be added as a coating or worked into the surface of the filaments or into the mass of the material prior to formation of the filaments, the lubricant is not so important as is its addition to or use with other of the plastic materials mentioned. Since the vinylidene' chloride is self lubricating, there is,

no tendency for the strands or filaments of the .rope to bind on one another or on associated strands or filaments of other materials with which it may be used in a rope.

The present lubricated rope or cable has several advantages'in addition to the fact that the lubricant is available in the rope as needed over a long period of time. For example, an elevator cable lubricated in accordance with the invention will be kept cleaner due to incorporation of the lubricant into the material of the cable rather than adding it to the surface of the cable. In addition the rope or cable of the invention is stored. Further, as the adhesive effect of the plastics on the lubricant exceeds that of sheaves,

pulleys and the like the latter used with the rope or cable of the invention will remain comparintively clean.

Having thus set forth the nature'of my invention, what I claim is:

elements of a plastic material, and particles of a lubricant embedded in the surface portions of said non-metallic elements whereby such particles are at least partly surrounded by the material of said elements and are cemented in place thereby.

3. A rope comprising a flexible resilient core, a

series of ropes laid about said core in engaging relation therewith, each of said ropes comprising metallic and non-metallic elements, said nonmetallic elements of a plastic material, and particles of a. lubricant embedded in the surface portions of said non-metallic-elements whereby such particles are at least partly surrounded by-the material of said elements and are cemented in place thereby.

4. A wire rope including a core of a plastic material,-and particles of a lubricant embedded in the surface portions of said core and at least partly surrounded by the plastic material thereof and cemented in place thereby.

5. A wire rope comprising a core including a single bar-like element of a plastic material, and particles of a lubricant embedded in the surface portions of said element and at least partly surrounded by the plastic. material thereof and cemented in placei in such material.

6. A rope including a core consisting of a plurality of filaments of a plastic material, and coldoldal graphite in the surface portions of said filaments and cemented in place by the material thereof.

7. A rope composed of filaments of a plastic material, and particles of a lubricant embedded in the surface portions of certain of said filaments and cemented inplace therein by the material thereof.

8. A rope core comprising a single strand of layed rope, said strand comprising filaments of a plastic material, and particles of a lubricant embedded in and at least partly surrounded by and cemented in place by the material of said filaments.

9. A rope core comprising a plurality of ele= ments twisted together, each of said elements comprising a twisted strip oi a plastic material.

and particles of a lubricant embedded in and at least partly surrounded by and cemented in place by the material of said strips.

10. A rope including a flexible longitudinally extending element, said element of a plastic material, andparticles ota lubricant embedded in and distributed substantially uniformly throughout the-diameter and length 01' said element.

v RICHARD F. WARREN, JR. 

